Resilient quick release for socket wrench

ABSTRACT

A socket wrench has a driving member with a detent member projecting therefrom which may be retracted to quickly release the socket. Longitudinally disposed in the driving member for sliding movement, is an elongated pin having a resilient member carried thereon and engaging the detent member. The resilient member limits the outward movement of the detent member. Longitudinal displacement of the elongated pin forces the resilient member against an inclined surface of the detent member and urges the detent member into a withdrawn position. The resilient member allows manual removal of the socket from the driving member without damage to the detent member.

United States Patent 1191 Smyers, Jr. et al.

[ RESILIENT QUICK RELEASE FOR SOCKET WRENCH [75] Inventors: William H.Smyers, Jr.; Ronald I).

Russo, both of Wethersfield, Conn.

[73] Assignee: The New Britain Machine Company,

New Britain, Conn.

22 Filed: Sept. 20, 1972 211 Appl. No.: 290,441

521 us. Cl. f. 81/177 G 511 1111. C1 B25b 13/00 [58] Field of Search81/177 R, 177 0,

81/121 R, 180 R, 57.39, 581, 60-62, DIG. 1; 287/DIG. 9, 119 R;248/407409; 24/211 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,660,989 2/1928 Carpenter81/177 0 X 3,638,519

2/1972 Rebold 81/177 G 1 71 t A socket wrench has a driving member withadetent ber.

[ Dec. 11, 1973 Primary Examiner-0thel1 M. Simpson AssistantExaminer-James G. Smith Attorney-Robert S. Smith et al.

ABSTRACT member projecting therefrom which. may be retracted to quicklyrelease the socket. Longitudinally disposed in the driving member forsliding movement, is an elongated pin having a resilient member carriedthereon and engaging the detent member. The resilient member limits theoutward movement of the detent member. Longitudinal displacement of theelongated pin forces the resilient member against an inclined surface ofthe detent member and urges the detent member into a withdrawn position.The resilient member allows manual removal of the socket from thedriving member without damage to the detent mem- 10 Claims, 5 DrawingFigures PATENIED DEC 1 I973 hp M k RESILIENT QUICK RELEASE FOR SOCKETWRENCH BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Socket wrenches are widely used whereit is desired to drive a large number of sizes of theaded fasteningdevices. One problem associated therewith has been the removable socketswhich have usually been retained by a ball detent assembly. One solutionto this problem is described in an application filed Apr. 8, 1972, Ser.No. 132,289, havingthe same assignee as this application. That inventionwas a significant advance in the state of the art since it caused thedetent assembly to be positively withdrawn rather than merely allowingforces imposed by a depending socket to urge the detent inwardly.

Many users of socket wrenches have been accustomed tomanual removal ofthe socket and often instinctively continue to remove the sockets, atleast occasionally, by manual means. In some earlier structures, thisisdetrimental to the detent, which most commonly is either a ball or anelongated cylindrical surface that may be crushed between the interiorwall of the socket and a portion of the quick release mechanism.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It hasnow been found that the objects can bereadily attained in a socket wrench assembly for use with an associatedsocket having ahandle provided with a head portion and an elongated studcarried by the head in driving engagement. The stud has an extendedportion extending from a surface of the head portion and having a wallcooperatively configured and dimensioned for engagement with theassociated socket and also has a longitudinal passage through theextended portion as well as a transverse passageway in the extendedportion communicating with the longitudinal passage and the wall. Adetent member is slidably carried in the transverse passageway having anexterior end normally projecting out of the aperture of the passageway.An elongated push rod assembly slidably carried in the longitudinalpassage is provided with resilient means having a first portion engaginga push member of the assembly and a second portion engaging the detentmember. In one longitudinal position or socket detenting position, thesecond portion limits sliding movement of the detent member out of theaperture of the transverse passageway.

In its preferred aspect, the socket wrench assembly detent member iselongated and the resilient means engaging the detent is obliquelydisposed with respect to the axis of the longitudinal passageway. Thedetent member may be provided with surfaces obliquely disposed withrespect to the axis of the transverse passageway for engagement with theresilient means.

In one form, the resilient means comprises an elongated leaf springhaving a plurality of bends between the ends thereof. In another form,the resilient means comprises an elongated spring having adjacent firstand second sides. The first side is wider than the second side and isdisposed in aligned relationship with the longitudinal axis of theelongated detent member. Most preferably, the second side edges have aplurality of curved regions. The second portion of the elongated springhas an enlarged end portion engaging the detent member which is of agenerally planar circular form.

The inclined surfaces of the detent member engaging the elongated springcomprise the walls of a slot dimensioned for sliding or cammingrelationship with the generally circular form. The detent member isprovided with a corresponding planar surface in sliding engagement witha planar side of the enlarged end portion of the elongated spring. Thesliding engagement therebetween prevents angular movement of theelongated spring about the longitudinal axis thereof.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novelsocket wrench which is capable of rapidly and easily disengaging thedetent mechanism from the socket used therewith and which limits theoutward motion of the detent.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a quick releasemechanism which allows manual removal of a socket without damage to thequick release mechanism.

Still another object is to provide a mechanism which will functionwithout jamming and with minimum operational forces.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view to areduced scale of a ratchet type socket wrench embodying the presentinvention, together with a sectional view of a socket;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary simplified sectional view of the head portion inone embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the spring utilized in theembodiment shown in FIG. 2 with the detent member and stud broken awaywhichfurther illustrates the shape of the spring in that embodiment asviewed from the left side thereof;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary simplified sectional view of the head portion ofanother embodiment of a quick release mechanism; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the spring utilized in theembodiment shown in FIG. 4 with the detent member and stud broken awaywhich further indicates the particular shape of the spring.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now in detailto the attached drawing, there is illustrated in FIG. 1 a socket wrenchassembly of the ratchet type having a handle 10, a head 12 and a drivingstud 14. The stud 14 is preferably square and is pro vided with a detentmember 16 projecting from one generally planar face 17. The studl 14 isadapted to engage an aperture 4 of a socket 5. A recess 6 in aperture 4engages the detent member 16 for positive engagement therebetween. Theposition of the detent member 16 is controlled by a pushbuttom 18projecting from the upper face of the head 12 in all embodiments. Alsoprojecting from the upper face is a shift plate 20. The form of theshift plate 20 is not part of this invention as it relates solely to themeans for reversing the driving direction of the stud 14.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 2 in which therelationship between head 12, driving stud l4, pushbuttom 18 and shiftplate 20 is more clearly shown. Pushbuttom 18 extends through a hole inshift plate 20 and has a circular radially extending flange whichengages a counterbore 20a: of the shift plate 20. The cooperativeengagement therebetween allows the realtive movement of the pushbuttom18 towards and away from the stud 14. A tube 22 is slidinglycarriedwithin a longitudinal passage 24 within head 12. Usually thelongitudinal passage 24 is aligned with the torque axis about whichtorque is applied to the socket 5. The upper end of the tube 22 abutsthe underside of the pushbutton 18. The tube 22 is provided withindentations 26, 28 and 30 which cooperate with bends in a leaf spring32 carried within the tube 22. The bends and indentations 26, 28 and30stabilize the leaf spring 32 carried within the tube 22. The lower end34 of the spring 32 projects from the tube 22 and is slidingly receivedwithin an angularly disposed slot 36 in the detent member 16. The detentmember 16 is free to slide inwardly and outwardly in bore 38 of sutd 14between socket releasing and socket detenting positions, limited only bythe constraint imposed by spring 32. Tube 22 is upwardly biased (asviewed) by coil spring 23 which also urges pushbutton 18 upwardly.

Spring 32 is heat treated to provide the required resiliency. As notedthe projecting end 34 of spring 32 is slidingly received within a slotor open channel 36 in the side of and normally to bias the detent member16 outwardly. As will be apparent by referring to FIG. 3, the spring 32is substantially a conventional leaf spring having several bendstherein. The bends cooperate with the indentations in tube 22 to providea stable mounting therebetween by preloading the spring 32 therebetween.Any flexure of the spring 32 will occur about such indentations. Spring32 must be sufficiently rigid to properly constrain movement of detentmember 16. The spring 32 also must be sufficiently resilient to allowdeflection of detent member 16 in the event the user of the ratchetshould attempt to manually remove a socket from the stud 14.. If thespring 32 does not have the required resiliency, the detent member 16might be damaged if the socket 5 was manually removed without depressingpushbutton 18.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown another embodiment having a head12, a driving stud 14, a pushbutton 18 and a shift plate 20. A detentmember 50 is similar in overall shape to that provided in the embodimentshown in FIG. 2 and is accordingly most preferably elongated. A widerslot 51 having a longitudinally extending planar surface 53 dimensionedfor sliding engagement with the generally planar side of the circularend 54 of a push rod spring 52. The axially spaced sides 57 of the slotas well as surface 53 thereof, prevent angular movement of the spring 52which would result in jamming of the mechanism. The generally planarcircular end 54 is trapped between sides 57 of the slot as is evident inFIG. 4. The spring 52 has two relatively wide parallel faces (one ofwhich is in the plane of the drawing as shown in FIG. 4), has edgeswhich are curved at several regions and has a generally planar circularend 54 extending out of the longitudinal passage 24. Theserpentive-shaped spring 52 provides the necessary rigidity to constraindetent member 50 outwardly and the necessary flexibility to allow detentmember 50 to be forced inwardly in the event the user of the ratchetwrench should attempt to manually draw a socket 5 from stud 14 withoutdepressing pushbutton 18. The curved regions effectively provide thespring action of a much larger flat spring. They are necessary since acorresponding flat spring would not fit into the available space withinthe longitudinal passage 24. In the FIG. 4 embodiment, a coil spring 55is provided between the upper end of the stud and a flange on the springto urge the push rod spring 52 and pushbutton l8 upwardly and away fromdetent 50.

As will be apparent by reference to FIGS. 2 and 4, depressing pushbutton18 in each embodiment forces, respectively, push rod springs 32 and 52into an inclined slot in the detent member to cam it positively in bothdirections. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the slot 36 is relativelynarrow to engage the relatively narrow leaf spring 32 of the push rodassembly. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the slot 51 is wider to engage slidingly the generally planar circular end 54 of spring 52. Thecircularity of end 54 is desirable since this facilitates the slidingrelationship between the circumference of end 54 and the sides of theslot 51. In both embodiments, a relatively large spring force isprovided to limit the outward movement of the detent member. The forcerequired to urge or cam the detent member inward as a result of downwardapplied force is small in a properly dimensioned structure. The appliedforce is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the pushrod springs. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the tube 22 and leafspring 32 are moved as an assembly; and the leaf spring is precompressedby the mounting provided by the tube 22. Both in this embodiment and theembodiment shown in FIG. 4, it is not necessary to overcome a springforce to urge a detent member inwardly. This is not generally true inearlier quick release mechanisms.

Although the concept of the present invention is applicable to anysocket wrench, it will be seen that the most significant benefits areobtained from its use in ratchet type devices. This application is mostdesirable because such higher quality wrenches require a correspondinglysuperior performance.

As will be appreciated, the design of the quick release mechanism mayvary somewhat from that illustrated herein, although the specificembodiments described are particularly preferred. It will be seen thatthe present invention provides a novel socket wrench with quick releasefeatures which permits facile disengagement of the detent mechanism fromthe socket used therewith and which limits outward motion of the detentmember as well as positively retracting the detent member. In addition,the mechanism allows manual removal of a socket without damage to thedetent mechanism as well as providing easy and jam-free operation.

We claim:

1. A socket wrench assembly for use with an associated socketcomprising;

a a handle having a head portion;

b an elongated stud carried by said head in driving engagement, saidstud having an extended portion for engagement with the associatedsocket and having a longitudinal passage through said extended portionand a transverse passage in said extended portion communicating withsaid longitudinal passage;

c a detent member slidably carried in said transverse passage having anexterior end normally projecting out of the aperture of said transversepassage;

d push rod means slidably carried in said longitudinal passage;

e resilient means having a first portion associated with said push rodmeans and a second portion engaging said detent member;

f said push rod means in one longitudinal position limiting slidingmovement of said detent member out of said aperture.

2. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said detentmember is elongated.

3. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 2 wherein said secondportion of said resilient means engaging said detent member is obliquelydisposed with respect to the axis of said longitudinal passage.

4. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein said detentmember is provided with a surface obliquely disposed with respect to theaxis of said transverse passage for engagement with said resilientmeans.

5. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein saidresilient means comprises an elongated leaf spring having a plurality ofbends between the ends thereof.

6. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein saidresilient means comprises an elongated spring having parallel flat sidesand parallel edges, said sides being wider than said edges and disposedin aligned relationship with the longitudinal axis of said elongateddetent member.

7. A socket wrench assembly as set forth inclaim 6 wherein said edgeshave a plurality of curved regions.

8. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 7 wherein saidelongated spring includes a generally circular member engaging saiddetent member, and said detent member includes a slot dimensioned forsliding relationship to said generally circular member.

9. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said secondportion of said elongated spring comprises a generally circular planarmember, said detent member having a corresponding planar surface insliding engagement with said generally circular planar member'to preventangular movement of said elongated spring about the longitudinal axisthereof.

10. A socket wrench having a handle and a drive stud,

a a first passageway in said drive stud extending along the torque axis,

b a second passageway in said drive stud transverse to said firstpassageway,

c a detent member movably mounted in said second passageway, and havinga cam slot,

d a member movably mounted in said first passageway having a camming enddisposed for movement within said cam slot,

e means biasing said member to a first position whereby said camming endserves to hold said detent member in an operative socket detentingposition, and causes said detent. member to be retracted to a socketreleasing; position when said member is moved to a second position, and

f said camming end of said member being formed to flex to permitmovement of said detent member in a retracting direction when socketsare manually mounted or removed from said stud.

@55 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 7 CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,777,596 Dated December ll, 1973 Inventor-(s) William H. Smyers, Jr.and Ronald D. Russo It is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 10, "1972" should be --l97l--.

Signed and sealed this 9th day of April 197M.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHIER,JR, C. MARSHALL DANN I Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

1. A socket wrench assembly for use with an associated socketcomprising; a a handle having a head portion; b an elongated studcarried by said head in driving engagement, said stud having an extendedportion for engagement with the associated socket and having alongitudinal passage through said extended portion and a transversepassage in said extended portion communicating with said longitudinalpassage; c a detent member slidably carried in said transverse passagehaving an exterior end normally projecting out of the aperture of saidtransverse passage; d push rod means slidably carried in saidlongitudinal passage; e resilient means having a first portionassociated with said push rod means and a second portion engaging saiddetent member; f said push rod means in one longitudinal positionlimiting sliding movement of said detent member out of said aperture. 2.A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said detentmember is elongated.
 3. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 2wherein said second portion of said resilient means engaging said detentmember is obliquely disposed with respect to the axis of saidlongitudinal passage.
 4. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim3 wherein said detent member is provided with a surface obliquelydisposed with respect to the axis of said transverse passage forengagement with said resilient means.
 5. A socket wrench assembly as setforth in claim 4 wherein said resilient means comprises an elongatedleaf spring having a plurality of bends between the ends thereof.
 6. Asocket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein said resilientmeans comprises an elongated spring having parallel flat sides andparallel edges, said sides being wider than said edges and disposed inaligned relationship with the longitudinal axis of said elongated detentmember.
 7. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein saidedges have a plurality of curved regions.
 8. A socket wrench assembly asset forth in claim 7 wherein said elongated spring includes a generallycircular member engaging said detent member, and said detent memberincludes a slot dimensioned for sliding relationship to said generallycircular member.
 9. A socket wrench assembly as set forth in claim 6wherein said second portion of said elongated spring comprises agenerally circular planar member, said detent member having acorresponding planar surface in sliding engagement with said generallycircular planar member to prevent angular movement of said elongatedspring about the longitudinal axis thereof.
 10. A socket wrench having ahandle and a drive stud, a a first passageway in said drive studextending along the torque axis, b a second passageway in said drivestud transverse to said first passageway, c a detent member movablymounted in said second passageway, and having a cam slot, d a membermovably mounted in said first passageway having a camming end disposedfor movement within said cam slot, e means biasing said member to afirst position whereby said camming end serves to hold said detentmember in an operative socket detenting position, and causes said detentmember to be retracted to a socket releasing position when said memberis moved to a second position, and f said camming end of said memberbeing formed to flex to permit movement of said detent member in aretracting direction when sockets are manually mounted or removed fromsaid stud.